Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech My pre-ride safety inspection list.

This is my safety inspection before a ride. Does anyone have anything else?

1) Tires: Check tire pressure. about 35psi. See any cuts?
2) Chain: Check chain slack about an 1" by pushing up.
3) Chain Guard: Check chain guard and the screws for loosenes (see if it moves).
4) Bolts: Visually check that the following bolts are in: front and back axles, brake calipers.
5) Cables: Visually check clutch, brake and throttle cables
6) Windshield: Check if loose.
7) Lights: Start engine and check headlights, turn signals, brake lights.
8) Brakes: On rollout do a brake test.

Although this may seem like a long list, all this takes about 5 minutes.

On the post-ride I perform a similar but more thorough inspection but also check for oil leaks and look under the gas tank for loose wires and look for loose stuff under the engine and exhausts.

My pre ride inspection.

Day before ride,
1, Wash and then blow dry Bike.
Then lift bike up on jack and
2, Polish Bike, I find washing and polishing is best way to find if anything is broken/loose/missing.
3, Check tires for cuts and or nails.
4, Check air pressure, which includes cussing like a sailor as i rip my fingers trying to get the Owners Manual out the back of seat cause I've forgotten the correct air pressures...AGAIN.

Day of ride
1, Check Oil
2, Check Chain and lube

Insert key and go.

PS, on your pictures post. What are the two extra clocks you have next to your speedo. Couldn't quite make them out in the picture.

A few things to add,
Check the oil and brake fluids.

Cycle the clutch and throttle, feeling for binding or roughness that may indicate impending cable failure.

Release the clutch and rock the bike to break the clutch loose. This makes the first shift less "clunky".

Make sure the charge and oil lights come on when you turn on the switch AND go off when the engine starts.

Inspect and insure that the squirrel condoms are in place and fully seated. Check the header pipes to make sure they are tight. Check the oil cap.

I know I’m going to sound like I’m pretty unsafe and irresponsible by this reply, but, I’m wondering when some find the time to ride. I ride nearly daily whenever weather permits – 12 months a year. Because there are only two wheels and ‘tyres’, I do pay a bit of attention to them. Otherwise, I pretty much perform maintenance and visual inspections during those weather created downtimes, recommended maintenance cycles and during washings. Because I use it so frequently, I feel I am more attuned to the condition of the beast and therefore treat maintenance and inspections somewhat like a car. I’ll agree this ‘casual’ approach may not work if ones riding frequency is less than routine – nor will I say that I recommend my approach. I do not do this merely because casual attitude but base it on past experience and wear and failure rates. As examples;

1. I have never lost more than 1 psi of air pressure between checks since owning the bike. I frequently look at the tires for cuts, but check air pressure only on a bi-weekly average – More often when taking long trips.
2. I have never added a drop of oil between changes. So, I religiously check it when washing, and occasionally before daily use and always before a long ride.
3. Pretty much the same for cables, and hoses. Cables are thoroughly inspected, lubed, and adjusted at oil changes, or when the ‘casual’ inspection dictates.
4. My SM didn’t have the squirrel rubbers when new. It has never puddled – probably because the hoses are always vented and drained

Oh, I forgot this - I am REAL anal about my chain. I check clean and wax that puppy to the point of self admitted overkill. I'f I have one real maintenance quirk, that's it.

I really need to get on this more myself. I don't do it near enough, tho i don't consider all these things to be nacassary every ride. The ones i think are have to do with things like axl bolts and things that if loose could cause catostorhic failures. One thing i'd like to see on the bike is more bolts with safety designs like cotter pins. Older bikes i've owned had cotter pins in axls and such, and while i realize they aren't visually appealing i think the saftety factor is worth it. Plus i would think there must be ways to do this in a more visually appealing way. Lights not working is one thing, but an axl that comes loose on the freeway is another thing entirly.

squirrel condoms.....?

Am I nuts? Are these squirrels nuts, running around unprotected?.... What the heck is a squirrel condom?

Those would be the vacuum port rubber caps. Not the hose inserts. The hose inserts would be squirrel diaphragms.

I guess 35 psi is ok. I never inflate mine that hard though.

Tires ain't flat, no puddles under her, I'm good to go !

I ride mine every day, since I don't have a cage. My pre-ride inspection usually consists of "was it making any unusual noises yesterday?" I check the tyres when I fill up (roughly once a week), keep an eye out for puddles, and give it a wash & polish every 2-3 weeks check for loose connectors etc.

Matt

I ride daily to work, weather permitting, 34 miles roundtrip. This post makes me feel guilty. I keep her clean but I guess I need to check air or something.

Deewight

I get up at 10:00 at night, half an hour before I go to bed, clean the paper bag (Luxury!) then lick the road clean with my tongue... er, wait a minute, wrong list....

Actually, since I ride nearly every day, I don't get real fussy unless I'm going for a long ride. I (now) check the tires about once a week and check the oil in the sight glass. I get a little more involved when it's time to wash it, about once a month.

Arsenalfan,

Here is a close up of the clocks with the new gas cap.

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/photopo...=500&page=1

Ah, Mr. Able
The tire preassure numbers are listed on the right hand side of frame just south of the handlebars. All you have to do is bend your neck a little.....
ModelMaker

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The tire preassure numbers are listed on the right hand side of frame just south of the handlebars. All you have to do is bend your neck a little.....

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Youre joking, well bugger me. Now i feel like a complete knobhead. If i'd known that three years ago I would have saved a fortune on band aids.

mark

ImOk,

Nice thank you. I have not added or taken anything off my bike since i brought it. It still has the air thingy-ma-jig that turns the pipes blue on it. Laziness more than any thing. Im totally useless at home mechanics, and I keep meaning to run it down to the dealership to get the air things taken off.

But I am getting an itch to do add some things. Fly screen, solo seat with a chrome seat rail and those clocks have got me very interested. Question is, if im copying someone elses idea is that customizing or copying?

Mark

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I need a translation. Would a knobhead be the equivalant of asshat in 'The Queen's English'?

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No mate, any twat can be a asshat. It takes a lot of skill and years of practice to be an knobhead.

mark

Hey Arsenalfan,
the tire pressure is listed on the sticker that is on the fork
neck.
you do not have to look in the manual.

Snappermans pre-trip check list.....

Wallet.....yep

Keys to the house.....check

Helmet and gloves.....OK

Key in the bike.....yepper

Cat out......You betcha

Plenty of gas.....seems to be

Cigarettes.....cough-choke-gasp


LETS RIDE

A pnemonic taught in the UK Institute of Advanced Riders & used by Police is

(POWDER)
P=Petrol (enough for your intended trip)
O=Oil (sight marker )
W=Water ( not needed on BA/SM)
D=Damage ( as shifts change, the Police take over all equipment- here you may do a check on overall condition)
E=Electrics includes lights, indicators,brake
R=Rubber- check in UK 1mm over 75% of the area rubber also includes brakes and brake fluid

Hope this helps someone- I now use it!